Summit E.T. Racing Series - October 12

Autumn Air and Great Track Prep Yield Great Fall Racing

October 12 - Heading into today's second-to-last day of Summit E.T. Racing Series points events, most of ESTA's eight classes are still undecided as we have tight races in all classes with the exception of Junior Dragster. With the final point race of the season wrapping up the 2014 season next week, there are probably a few racers doing the "rain dance" for Sunday, October 19. In the meantime, let's look at how the October 12 event played out.

Super Pro racing action saw the “Top End Club “ racers dominate the action as Bob Belvick took on pit neighbor Tim Roberts, both driving Big Block Chevy powered dragsters. This one was over early as Tim was blinded by the fall sun setting behind the tree causing him to have an uncharacteristic .926 reaction time which sealed his fate. Bob was off and running with a safe .539 r.t. and won it with an 8.527 at 137.50 mph on his 8.47 dial in while Tim ran 7.816 at 164.29 on his 7.78. Anthony Zegarelli and Gene Stankivitz III were the semifinalists.

Pro

Mike LaRose Jr. scored an emotional win in Pro today when he stopped the always tough Anthony Zangari in the final round. Mike held a .537 to .586 starting line advantage and won with a 10.553 at 117.18 mph run on his 10.53 dial while Anthony ran under his 10.06 with a 10.049 at 133.88 mph runner up effort. Bob Mayers was the semifinalist. Mike shared the spotlight in the winner’s circle with his father Mike who is recovering from heart surgery performed earlier this week.

Pro MX

Kevin Wuest on his ’97 Polaris race sled took the Pro MX win today when he stopped “Rocket” Rick Fies on his crazy fast ’06 Suzuki. Rick held the starting line advantage .586 to .622 but Kevin went right on his 10.56 dial in with a 10.562 at 114.55 mph while Rick ran off his 8.53 prediction with an 8.628 at a booming 160.18 mph blast, settling for the runner up spot. Dan Kirkby and Heath Smith were the semifinalists.

Street Money

Jordan Reader put his ’88 Ranger back into the Street Money winner’s circle again today defeating a red lighting Mike Halsey who was driving his ’77 Nova. Jordan put together a nice final round package with a .532 light and running 11.754 at 113.05 mph on his 11.72 dial in. Mike fouled with a .442 and ran 11.892 at 111.66 mph on his 11.92 dial. Rick Vose was the semifinalist.

Modified

After many runner up and semifinal round finishes ‘Becca Searles finally got the win in Modified today in her “Bits and Pieces” Mustang. ‘Becca held a huge .564 to .755 r.t advantage and won with a 11.284 at 115.07 mph run on her 11.26 dial while Don Austin in his ’93 S-10 settled for the runner up spot with right on the dial 9.700 at 137.59 mph pass. Jason Leppard and Scott Smith made it to the semi’s.

Street Trophy

Clarence Spady made a rare appearance in Street Trophy today and was able to defeat Earl Snyder in the final round. Clarence held a slight .661 to .706 r.t. advantage and won with his 17.047 at 77.71 mph run on his 17.00 dial. Earl had to settle for the runner up spot when he ran 13.796 at 98.70 mph on his 13.75 dial. T.J. Ranucci was the semifinalist.

Bike/Sled Trophy

Bob Salerno got the nod in Bike / Sled Trophy defeating Steve Stone. Bob won it with a .615 initiated 9.756 at 118.83 mph run on his 9.72 dial while Steve had a slightly better light with his .604 but he ran off his 12.56 dial with a 12.689 at 102.99 mph runner up effort. Dan Kirkby made it to the semi’s here too.

Jr. Dragster

Casey Bedell got the win in Jr. Dragster action after Jenna Lipke fouled with a heartbreaking .4991 red light. Casey had a .590 light and ran 7.928 at 80.90 mph on his 7.94 dial in for the win while Jenna legged it thru to an 8.009 at 83.50 mph run on her 8.04 dial in to take the runner up spot. Kimberlee Snell was the semifinalist.

That does it for today’s racing action. The point season has been one of the most tightly contested seasons in a number of years, and will all be decided in one week.